Is this the Eid that Kashmir wants?

It can only be termed a cruel irony that Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called on Kashmiris to observe an 'austere' Eid.

Geelani, the separatist leader who is spearheading the 'Quit Jammu and Kashmir' movement says, "Every house in Kashmir is in a state of mourning. Kashmiris are facing the worst form of oppression. In these circumstances, how can we celebrate Eid with fanfare? We have to show that we are an oppressed nation. Celebrations and sorrows can't go together."

For those in New Delhi who think that Geelani is showing signs of moderation, here is his other Eid statement "Even if India uses all its military might, we will not let the blood of martyrs go waste. Let us take a pledge on this Eid that we will not rest unless we achieve freedom."

So more blood will flow because the Hurriyat will continue to put Kashmiri youth on to the streets and the forces have orders to quell the violent protests.

Is this the Eid that Kashmir wants?

The 29 days of Ramadan brought no respite and Eid on Friday/Saturday will be no different. At the wholesale markets like Koker Bazaar, Court Road and Mehrajganj in Srinagar, most shops are closed.

For almost a decade now, when there was normalcy in Kashmir, these bazaars would be buzzing with activity in the days prior to Eid.

Syed Ather Pervez, a wholesaler says, "The stocks have rotted because retailers did not pick up supplies. There is such uncertainty about the strikes and curfew that nobody knows what tomorrow will bring. In such a situation we are all tense. What business can we expect?"

Niaz Ahmad who works in the marketing of dry fruit says, "If there is one word I can use, it is that we are all pareshaan. (Disturbed). We can't foretell what will happen tomorrow let alone the week ahead so nobody is buying or selling. That itself is depressing."

Image: A woman walks past chickens for sale at a marketPhotographs: Mukesh Gupta/Reuters

Is this the Eid that Kashmir wants?

Syed Ather Parvez, member of the Wholesale Dealers Association says, "the stock in my shop is rotting. Some people who did not buy any dry fruit this year are pedalling last year's supplies, which they had stocked up on. This hartal has made us penniless. Who will compensate the heavy losses tell me? The leaders or New Delhi?"

Geelani grandiloquently states, "I salute the courage and resilience of Kashmiris who have been rendering unflinching sacrifices for the ongoing agitation."

Courage is not the reason for their resilience.

It is the utter fear and helplessness that is muting ordinary Kashmiris.

Street vendors who used to sell Islamic religious items like Misawak, Ittar, rosary beads, posters of Mecca and Humayun caps are stuck at home unable to wheel their carts to the streets.

Image: Children look out of a window of their home during a curfew in SrinagarPhotographs: Reinhard Krause/Reuters

Is this the Eid that Kashmir wants?

Manzoor Ahmad, Technical Officer of the J&K Horticultural Dept says, "Last year, the production of almonds was 12,500 metric tonnes. This year, the production will be around 13,000-13,500 metric tonnes."

However, trucks cannot operate in Kashmir during the days of the strike and on days when there is unrest and curfew. This means nearly 20 days of the month are non-operational days. So the almonds will not move from the fields to the shops. The farmer, the wholesaler, the retailer, the exporter- all Kashmiris will face huge irreparable losses.

A few days before Eid at the shrine of Sufi saint Syed Ali Balkhi in Pakherpora, Budgam, devotees pray for peace.

"Our beautiful and exotic state of Kashmir is witnessing turbulent times since the last few months. To restore normalcy in the region, we offered prayers with honesty and devotion at the shrine along with the other revered clerics, and prayed," said Fayaz Ahmad, a devotee.

Is this the Eid that Kashmir wants?

"We asked God to return joy, prosperity, harmony and peace in Kashmir. We hope that the issue of Kashmir would also be resolved soon," Fayaz added.

The head of the Sufi Shrine Committee Mohammad Abdullah Magrey says, "If you go to any area of Kashmir, you will find the shrine of some religious saint or the other. This is why Kashmir is also called Pirwar (abode of the saints). This shrine of Syed Balkhi is revered by many people, and I believe that all prayers are answered here if the intention is right and pure."

The prayer is for peace and happiness. After all, isn't that the true spirit of Eid?